A Superior Court judge has ordered three of the defendants-Kevin J. Small, Semya Gill, and Jaylen Courten – involved in a pop up party in Long Branch to stop advertising promoting or encouraging any future pop up parties in the city of Long Branch.
In addition, they were directed to post the following notice on their social media accounts: “The Long Branch Beach Linkup on June 19 is cancelled. There will be no future “Beach Linkups,” “Pop Up Parties,” or similar events without permits in the City of Long Branch. It is illegal to consume alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana on the Long Branch beach, boardwalk, or surrounding public area.”
The pop party,. which attracted thousands to Long Branch, took place May 21.
The remaining defendants named in the lawsuit- Wavell Thompson, Akeil Anderson, and Jayson Glasper- appeared in court and agreed to stop advertising, promoting or encouraging any future pop up parties in the City of Long Branch. In addition, they agreed to post the same notice on their social media accounts:
The court’s orders further provide that all the defendants may not post any message that contradict this notice. Some of the defendants have already posted the notice. The city would be empowered to take legal action to hold Thompson, Anderson and Glasper financially responsible for the costs of the police response and clean-up of the May 2 party, in addition to costs and attorney’s fees should they fail to comply with the order.
The city’s lawsuit will seek to impose that same responsibility on the remaining defendants and other potential responsible parties not yet identified.
“This is a legal victory for the city, but the work is not done,” said Mayor John Pallone. “We are ready to add any individuals who promote any future events without permits to our lawsuit and hold them accountable.”
“For two years, municipalities across the state have struggled to respond to this difficult and growing problem. Long Branch has shown the way forward, and now other towns are following our lead,” said City Attorney Lou Rainone.
